Chapter 35: The Green Forest , The Deepest Part(3)

The powerful do not fight without reason.

In the case of warriors, unless they were born with considerable talent, those who are aggressive will die quickly.

Those who have survived through all kinds of hardships are as good at understanding situations as they are at skills.

They reduce the number of fights that are pointless, that is, fights that are pointless, and only start fights when they can ‘certainly’ win.

In the case of magicians, they reduce the number of fights because it is a waste of time for their research.

On the other hand, they are those who would kill people for their research, but if they fail, they will immediately get involved in troublesome matters, so they rarely take action.

However, if they deny the magician’s research itself, there is a high possibility that they will be hit with magic on the spot.

Transcendent beings, that is, those who were born into noble races or have overcome the limits of their race, do not fight each other unless it is really serious.

Because ‘This place is dangerous: the moment they fight, the entire surrounding area becomes scorched earth.

“Hey! I’m sinking!”

Sylvain narrowed her eyes as she looked at the silver-haired girl desperately swimming for help.

‘It’s my first time seeing her, but she seems to be quite crazy!’

The silver-haired girl had just invaded the summit of the World Tree.

Even before she physically approached, Sylvain hadn’t noticed her presence.

In this world, there were less than ten people capable of such feats.

“No, that… That… I suck at swimming… Gyaaak… Sister! Please help me…!”

A being like that would sink and drown in a spring that wasn’t even 2 meters deep?

That would be absolutely impossible.

‘… It would be better if it was some kind of ruse.’

If it was a ruse to make Sylvain let her guard down, then that would be better.

Not only would she not be fooled by such low-level acting, but if she had the intelligence to devise a ruse, then at least there was a possibility of conversation.

“Pururup! Eeeeek! Help… Why aren’t you helping me… Haaaang…!”

The problem is if that behavior isn’t acting.

No, Sylvain was certain at this point that it wasn’t acting.

If it was acting, she wouldn’t be able to cry and thrash around like that.

If that’s the case, then that person really is crazy enough to think of herself as a girl.

There’s no way that a proper conversation with a madman is possible.

There’s a high chance of combat.

Maybe she’ll have to use Sylvain’s ‘original form.’

That would be a disaster.

This World Tree is a sacred place that concentrates the earth’s power from the entire Eastern Forest.

If there’s a problem with this sacred place that gives strength to the elves, even if they try hard enough, they’ll only be able to stop the darkness from advancing for a year.

‘First of all, we should change the battle location.

Even if the battle was unfavorable to Sylvain, he had to somehow minimize the damage to this holy place.

At that moment, when Sylvain, who had come to that conclusion, was trying to gather his energy and prepare for battle-

“… Gulp.”

The girl sank into the spring.

“……”

Even after waiting for a long time, she showed no signs of coming up.

Even the life energy that was felt was gradually weakening.

“… Really?”

Was the author crazy enough to sacrifice her life for the role of the girl?

‘… But what if that wasn’t the case?’

What if Sylvain had misunderstood and that silver-haired girl really couldn’t swim?

Didn’t Sylvain know better than anyone that a Transcendent Being isn’t omnipotent?

“Tsk…! Why would a real woman do something like this!”

Her thoughts were short and her actions were quick.

At that moment, when Sylvain was about to take off her clothes and jump into the spring, the spring suddenly erupted and spat out the silver-haired girl.

Sylvain, who was soaked in water, ran towards the girl who was writhing in a daze.

***

I really thought I was going to die.

“…”

Why on earth was the woman who introduced herself as Sylvain just blankly watching the child die?

“… “

That was why Avalli kept her mouth shut and glared at Sylvain in front of her while sobbing.

“……”

Sylvain also couldn’t bring herself to open her mouth and avoided the silver-haired girl’s gaze.

It was still possible that this girl was a ‘crazy’ transcendent, but…, because the possibility that she had misunderstood and neglected the child who was on the verge of death had increased.

As a result, Avalli escaped the spring with her own power, but it would have been better if Sylvain had helped her before that.

‘If this transcendent girl had become an enemy because of that…’.

‘My head hurts.’

That was entirely Sylvain’s fault.

While the two transcendents remained silent, the water that had soaked into their hair dripped down the upper part of the World Tree.

“… Well, first of all.”

Since they had to move quickly to block the front line tonight, Sylvain barely managed to break the silence and open her mouth.

She had to somehow handle the situation before the worst happened.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry to you.”

“…… Why, did you do that?”

Avalli sniffled and glared at Sylvain.

“I misunderstood something. I thought that someone with supernatural powers like you wouldn’t die from drowning. And that’s what happened in the end.”

Sylvain answered awkwardly, which was exactly right.

‘Am I an idiot?’

No matter how flustered she was, there were countless ways to escape from that spring.

With the ‘magic’ used by Avalli, the magic learned from Lucy, or even just her physical strength, she could have kicked the water.

However, she thought that she would drown herself as if it were a given.

No matter how much transcendental magic Avalli possessed, magic itself did not have a will.

If the owner imagined his own death…

Avalli’s power would only silence the owner so that he could fall to his death.

Ultimately, the will to live was greater, so she somehow managed to escape.

‘… The software is too old-fashioned.’

In other words, she had not yet completely accepted that she was a ‘transcendent being.’

“… But it was too much.”

“I am also reflecting on this. I should have moved a little faster, and I made you have a terrible experience for no reason.”

Sylvain sincerely apologized and continued the conversation as politely as possible.

“By the way, who are you? The owner told me your name, but I still don’t know what to call you.”

“Ah! My name is Avalli.”

“Avalli, what a beautiful name.”

Sylvain nodded and began to put on the clothes she had thrown on the floor.

“Avalli. I don’t know why you came here, but can I assume that you have no intention of fighting right now?”

“Fight? Me?”

“If that is what you wish, then please swear to me. As long as this oath of non-combat is kept, I, Sylvain, will treat you as my guest.”

Sylvain made such a suggestion without letting go of the tension.

If Avalli accepts this offer, he can go to the battlefield without much worry…, but if he refuses-“Of course. I hate fighting too.”

However, Avalli nodded immediately, making Sylvain’s worries seem meaningless.

Sylvain was momentarily dumbfounded at Avalli’s lack of hesitation, but soon raised the corners of her mouth as if she was happy.

“Uhuhu, it seems I was needlessly worried. You, no, Lord Avalli. I have an urgent matter to attend to, so I have to leave this sacred place for a moment. I will send someone to attend to you right away, so could you wait a moment?”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

“Thank you for your consideration. I will see you later.”

After saying that, Sylvain quickly disappeared somewhere.

Avalli, who was left alone at the top of the World Tree, finally had time to look around.

“… It’s Japanese.”

To use an expression that would appear on the news, it was a ‘very Japanese’ neighborhood.

The Sword and Magic series was originally released in Japan, so it was only natural.

The steaming spring and the surrounding buildings resembled the scenery of the Kyoto hot springs that a friend once sent her a photo of.

However, the owner of the hot springs was not a black-haired Japanese person, but an elves with ears that pricked up on both sides…

“Elves… right?”

She was an elf.

But why was her hair white?

Isn’t it common sense that elves are usually blonde beauties?

For example, a blonde woman running towards Avali in a hurry…

“…… A priestess?”

Like an elf priestess.

“I greet you, Transcendent One. Please forgive my rudeness in keeping you waiting.”

The elf priestess, wearing a white haori and red hakama, knelt down with her forehead on the ground as soon as she arrived in front of Avalli.

Avalli, who knew the name of that posture, was startled and approached the elf priestess.

“Get up quickly. You don’t have to do that to me.”

Avalli hurriedly grabbed the elf priestess’s arm and lifted her up.

“How merciful…!”

Avalli had simply acted in a perfectly reasonable manner, but for some reason the elf priestess looked moved.

“Transcendent-“

“…Please call me Avalli.”

“Excuse me. Lady Avalli, then I will change your clothes for you.”

The elf priestess bowed her head after saying that, then silently moved behind Avalli and tried to take off her clothes without warning.

“… Wait a minute!”

Avalli let out a scream at her sudden action, but…

“I’m sorry, Lady Avalli!”

She was speechless when she saw the elf immediately apologize and take off her dogeza again.

“No, that’s not it…”

“Please, only let out your anger on me who made a mistake…”

Judging by her trembling expression, it seemed like they wouldn’t be able to communicate.

Could it be a cultural difference?

If not…

“… I’m not angry. I’m just surprised. Clothes, please.”

“Well… thank you for your mercy.”

Feeling somewhat uneasy, Avalli silently entrusted herself to the elf priestess’s hands.